The Irish standard., 1887-10-22

Ile woman ShuddereQ, ana heaVy
sob told what struggle was going on
within ler. AS il she had gained the
mastery over her feelings, she flung
back the cloak from her face, and said
in an almost defiant tone:
We're going to the poor-house.'
:Avoo! nine long miles exclaimed
the old dairy woman. But as for goin'
to the poor-house, shure, tits what the
decentest people in the parish must do
sich times IS these, glory be to God for
all his mercies.'
Anxious as Brian WAS to hear this
conversation, a scene which was en-
acted during it's continuance almost en-.
tirely absorbed his attention.
The greyhound was crunching The
piece of hard oaten bread outside the
door-the children watching him with
wolfish eyes. The eldest boy at last
sprang upon the dog. and snatched the
bread from him. He broke it into three
parts, and hurriedly thrust one into the
hand of each OF the other children
keeping none for himself. Then seiz-
ing the hound by the throat, the boy
pulled a fragment of the bread from
between his teeth, and deyoured Il
ravenously!
Kate, said Mr.. Purcell to his daugh
ter, will you try and explain to your
mother the meaning of poor.rates:
There's no use in thinking she car
keep up the 3ld sYstem-we couldn't
afford it. She has a congregation o1
beggars at the door every hour of tbs
day.
And do you know, Kate asked
Brian, who had just come into the par
lor, who is among the beggars at the
door now?'
'Who?' said his sister, startled by the
tone OF his voice.
Sally Cayanaghn
Kate dropped OH the floor the shirt
She Was engaged in making.
Yes, continued Brian, ton her way
TO the poor-house. And never let us
know she was SO badly Off suppose
because helped them little when her
husband was going to America
His sister stood up, but paused irres~
oluiely, with her hand on the door
handle
Il declare, Brian,' said she, 4 have
hardly courage to speak to her. She
that was always SO light hearted and
happy. often said I enyied Der
Get them their breakfast, at all
events: said Brian, and we'll send a
car with t1lem to the poor-house. That's
all we're able to 40 for them,' he added
bitterly, as he placed his arms On the
table, and dropped his head upon them.
The car with Sally Cavanagh and her
children was some distance on its way
before Brian raised his head. When
he did So he saw his greyhonnds with
their keen eyes liked upon him, while
GaZelle thrust her taper head under his
arm. He seized his gun, and rushed
out into the orchard---t}e hounds yelp-
ing and bounding before him. He
beckoned to q workman, ana desiring
him to follow with spade. strobe huf-
riedly to the tarthest corner Of the OF
cl1ard. The dogs yelped their delight,
and leaped up to csress him,
Down, Bran down Gazelle'
The hounds crouched at his feet. He
was pale as death: even his lips were
hlooGless
Bang! bang! EIe fred both barrels
iii quick succession, and flung the dis
gun upon the ground. The
man With the spade came up, and Brian
pointed to the foot Of a particular tree
without speaking. He then leaped
over the fence and disappeared.
His mother and sister, hearing the
shots so near the house, came out in
some alarm to the orchard. They
found the workman staring over the
5ence, over which Brian had disap.
}eared; in mute amazement.
My goodness!' exclaimed Kate look
ng Mortified, why has he done that?'
II don't know in the world, miss re-
,lied the man. Shure id couldn't be
ccount ov the gorsoon takin' the bread
rom wan ov 'em, for instead OF bitin'
i'm, she stopped as quiet as lamb
Kate aud her mother exchanged
1oks, which showed they understood
he matter.
Poor Brian said Mrs. Purcell, wip-
~ her eyes, tits so like him.
I'm to bury EN- ondher this three,
lam,' said the workman.
But though Kate appreciated the sac
flee Brian had made, and knew he
as prompted TO make il by the ret]ee-
on that the cost Of keeping his dogs
light help to keep some poor family
'om starvation she was shocked
} think that it was his own hand
;retchetl the noble animals lifeless and
leeding as she now beheld them.
I declare, mama,; said she, i feel
uite nervous. How glad I am that
t. 4.